My Postpartum health story

Having Anjali was one of the most amazing and difficult things I have ever done - and boy were we in awe and exhausted for a long time. At some point, she began sleeping through the night but I was still waking up 1-3 times per night and often unable to go back to sleep. I was also still feeling extremely exhausted, short-tempered and just not feeling like myself at all. I actually consulted 3 different practitioners who all gave me extremely similar "diagnoses" but it wasn't until the third that I finally was able to really hear it and do something about it. Long story short, my adrenal system was extremely fatigued and probably had been from even when I was pregnant. Actually, I've heard that having a baby can lead to adrenal fatigue and serious thyroid conditions that may "test" normal according western/allopathic medicine but in eastern/alternative modalities, there can be slight abnormalities that can be the precursors to disease if not rebalance. I also had a few other things going on that were explained in the context of Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine systems.

So here's the long story if you desire to stick around and read it. I first consulted an MD who is also trained in Dr. Andrew Weil's Alternative Healing, then I saw a natropath who also does acupuncture. (I didn't know that schooling for Natropaths at accredited schools is equivalent to medical school). Finally I consulted an MD who is also trained in Ayurveda, traditional medicine from India. All of them noted the adrenal fatigue but it wasn't until the 3rd diagnosis that I began taking several different herbs and adjusted my diet to help manage the issues going on. The Ayurvedic "diagnosis" was extremely comprehensive in that I was also given specific dietary modifications based on my body constitution and certain aggravations and was advised to perform pacifying self massage. The acupuncturist also does Mayan massage which is an amazing adominal massage that helps to realign the uterus for women. The Mayan believe that if a woman's uterus is out of alignment, she is out of alignment. I 100% recommend ALL women to seek out a Mayan Massage practitioner...

I have felt more like myself since I started taking the herbs and following all the other advice than I have in eons! This all said, I would definitely recommend anyone who has "inexplicable" fatigue/anxiety or other "not feeling like myself" symptoms to consider consulting someone outside of the western/allopathic world as it can help detect issues that may not seem critical but that could develop into serious disease down the road. If you're in the ATL, I have a couple of practitioners that I recommend and then there's the Ayurvedic MD who's in Colorado.

In the ATL:

• Caroline Friedlander at Morningside Acupuncture - http://www.morningsideacu.com
• Dr. Bhatia, http://www.atlantaholisticmedicine.com

In CO: Dr Nita Desai - http://www.nitadesaimd.com

Be healthy, be calm, breathe deeply... peace.

Three Years Later...

Well, most of you, if not all of you, who chose to subscribe to this blog know me personally so you know that about 2 months after my last post, circa July 2008, I found out I was pregnant and I am currently the proud mother of an amazing, brilliant, beautiful, sweet, traviesa, silly, "i wanna do it" almost 2 year old... So, needless to say, my attention has been focused on silly faces, giggles, twinkle-twinkle little star and "please don't throw food on the floor again!" It has been an amazing journey so far with plenty of highs accompanied by the inevitable lows. I'm not 100% sure on the direction of this blog - oh, but looking back at what I wrote in my first ever post, it will likely continue to stay within what I wrote since it basically means I can talk about pretty much anything, "Living in Mindfulness is a space that I've created where I will share ideas, insights into life, health tips, recipes, books, authors, quotes, ideas - personal and borrowed - for all to learn and grow from."

and I'm sure there will be some additional info and articles that relate a bit more to motherhood, toddlers and other things too... or maybe not, perhaps I'll start a blog specifically for that. I just know that if I wait for figuring it all out before writing, there will be no writing! And who knows, maybe this is just a brief, fleeting flash of motivation inspiring me to write one random "catching you up" kind of post and then I will disappear again. I hope not, but there's my disclaimer anyway.

I do hope to give some updates on some of the health related experiences I've had over the last 3 years - as my perspective has changed some. These updates will likely take the form of individual posts, but a key update is that about 3 months into my pregnancy, so around December 2008/January 2009 I returned to my carnivorous roots, yes that's right, I started eating meat again after 12 years of vegetarianism. And I have to say, I don't think I'll be going back the veggie side. That being said, I still adore vegetables and firmly believe in and will preach about the benefits of eating them and eating lots of them. But I truly do enjoy clean, toxin free, organic, hormone/antibiotic free meat.

That's all for now. Be well, breathe deeply, give thanks continuously, find a favorite exercise and do it, and find a healthy balance between eating to live and living to eat... random thoughts!

The Essentials of Oils

When I was younger, I always wanted to have a signature scent. One that everyone would know as mine. I asked for a then popular perfume as a birthday gift and when received, I put it on daily, spraying my wrists and clothes. I was content; I had found a scent for my own. Shortly after, I started getting headaches. One day when sitting in class, with my chin propped in the heels of my hands, I became acutely aware of the smell of my perfume and thought to myself that perhaps the headaches were related to the perfume. I did an experiment and stopped wearing my new found scent for a few days. Sure enough, the headaches disappeared. Hmm, allergic to my signature scent! How could this be? Needless to say, I was very disappointed.

It wasn't until years later after working in a health food store in North Carolina and learning from good friends that I was taught about essential oils, their wonderful signature scents as well as their aromatherapeutic properties! I also learned that many people have very strong reactions to the alcohol in perfumes or the large amounts of chemicals in other lotions and fragrances.

Basically, there are numerous essential oils that have amazing fragrances and can be mixed with a base and used just like perfume - and they don't cause me headaches! There are also blends of them already pre-made, just check out your local health food store.

I also learned about the benefit of using body oil instead of lotion. I used to think all body oil was like baby oil - and if you've ever put that on your body, you know how slimy and oily it makes you feel. I really didn't want that but I wanted something that was going to hydrate my skin in a way that lotion just wasn't. Many people will use Almond, Olive, Sesame or Sunflower Oil as the base for creating their own scented body oil - instead of buying a $30 bottle from some of those "Body Shops." Making these oils are easy and fun and you can create one just for your own needs.

A massage-therapist friend of mine likes to use sunflower oil for her personal body oil as it dries most quickly so there is less possibility of it getting on clothes. I used to use almond oil but just recently switched to sunflower oil and have found that I also prefer it. I buy Spectrum brand refined, organic Sunflower Oil from the cooking oil section of any health food store.

Below is a recipe I use for creating. I STRONGLY recommend that you read up on the properties of any and all essential oils you opt to put into your concoction so that you know what you're getting into (see links at the end of this post and do your own research!). Also, my motto is less is more; first try out a smaller quantity of an essential oil and then increase if you do not smell it once mixed with your base oil.

My favorites:
Lavender Oil *- Relaxing, Calming
Grapefruit Oil *- Uplifting
Peppermint Oil *- Stimulating
Eucalyptus Oil *- Refreshing

Jyoti's Oil Recipe:

What's in it:

• 12 - 15 ounces base oil (Organic Sunflower Oil)
• 8 - 12 drops Lavender Oil
• 5 - 12 drips Grapefruit Oil
• 4 ounces lotion of your choice (I like Kiss My Face Lavender or Mountain Ocean Skin Trip Coconut Lotion)
• You can add peppermint (2-4 drops) or Eucalyptus (2-4 drops) but bear in mind that they will add a cooling and stimulating effect. I have decided to not use them much in my whole body oils but have made separate oils with them for my feet only and use sparingly.

How's it done:

• Pour your base oil into either a pump bottle or a leak proof squeeze bottle of your choice. It is recommended to use a dark, glass bottle if you can.
  
• Add the number of drops of the oils of your choice.
• Add the number of ounces of the lotion of your choice (optional)
• Shake the concoction up and lube yourself up!

Enjoy creating your own scents tailored to your own wants and needs, just be sure to thoroughly read up on the properties for each oil before using. I actually began to find peppermint to be too cooling and stimulating for me to use after using it for a long time. Have fun!

I also found the following sites helpful and informative:

Information on oil properties:

• http://www.mnwelldir.org/docs/therapies/essentia02.htm
• http://www.feelgoodproducts.com/properties.html

Recipes and general information:

• http://www.essential-oil-recipes.com/index.html
  

Properties and general information:

• http://www.aromaweb.com/essentialoils/default.asp
  

*The links in this post are not intended to urge readers to purchase these particular brands or from these specific sites but are more for reference and informational purposes.

Hemp Seeds and Oil

I was recently re-introduced to the wonderful benefits of hemp seeds and hemp oil. Most people these days have heard of Flax seeds and flax oil. Well, hemp seeds and oil offer very similar benefits as Flax yet according to some, hemp is the better choice. At the core of both hemp and flax is the buzz around "Essential Fatty Acids" or EFAs.

Basically, our bodies don't create these EFAs, but they are "essential" for our health and vitality (we'd have to speak to my sisters the doctor and PA to really understand the "how/why" behind the essentialness of these EFAs). But the basics are that they're good for us.

According to one site I visited, hemp seeds and oil have the best ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs, that being 3:1. According to this same site, "EFAs help to prevent or relieve inflammation problems, arthritis, asthma, osteoporosis, cardio-vascular disease and hormonal disturbances linked to menopause, These substances play a role in preventing autoimmune diseases, overweight and cancer."

In addition to providing EFAs, hemp seeds provide a wonderful amount of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A and Vitamin E. I like to put both the seeds and oil into my morning smoothies. You can also add either the seeds or oil to soups, salads or any other food item that sounds good to you.

In my own experience, hemp seeds and oil have a much better flavor than flax. I've always found flax to taste rather fishy, not suspicious but actually like fish. - and I never really liked most fish when I did eat meat. I still incorporate both into my diet, but if there's ever a possibility that the taste will shine through, I opt for hemp. So, you don't have to choose one over the other; you can use both or alternate one from the other.

Enjoy!

I found these other sites to be helpful in understanding the difference between hemp and flax:
http://nutiva.com/graphics/hempandflax.pdf
http://www.hempseed.ca/hemp-vs-flax.ihtml

Sathya's Saag

The following is another of my father's yummy renditions of a popular Indian dish. It is most commonly found in "North Indian" restaurants and with cubes of paneer - Indian Cheese and therefore called Saag Paneer or Palak Paneer. Some good friends of mine always ask for me to make this one. Enjoy!

What's in it:

• 2-3 tbsp organic canola oil
• 1-2 tsp brown mustard seeds
• 1 big handful of cilantro (fresh coriander leaves)
• 1 inch of peeled fresh organic ginger
• 2 cloves organic garlic
• 10 curry leaves
  
• 2-4 tsp cumin
• 2-4 tsp coriander
• 1/4 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 - 1 tsp turmeric
  
• lime to taste
• salt to taste
  
• 2-3 bunches of fresh spinach or 2 packages chopped, frozen organic spinach
  
• 1 big organic onion

How it's done:

• Chop onion into small cubes
• Wash cilantro and chop leafy part (discard the stems)
• Wash and dry curry leaves
• Chop or press garlic
• Grate or puree ginger
• Heat the oil in a pan (you can eliminate this step for a healthier saag)
  
• Add mustard seeds (these can be dry roasted, without the oil)
  
• Mustard seeds will heat and eventually start popping
• Add onion, ginger and garlic when mustard seeds start to pop
• Let the onion cook until it starts to turn clear
• Add cumin, coriander, turmeric and garam masala.
• Allow spices to cook with onion until the onion is completely cooked (completely clear)
• Add spinach
• If using fresh spinach, allow to cook until tender
• If using frozen, allow to defrost and heat up
• Once spinach is cooked, add cilantro
• You can blend this mixture in a food processor to make smooth or keep it as is
• Add lime and salt to taste

This goes well with a nice organic brown rice seasoned with cumin seeds or a nice spelt tortilla in place of a chapati.

Idlies

To go with Sathya's Sambar:

I have never made idlies from scratch and therefore don't have a 'from scratch' recipe to share. But, I have used the boxed packages that you can easily get from any local Indian/South Asian grocery store. One of the most common brands is Gits. You will have to get an Idli Maker, but that too can be found at a local India/South Asian store. You just put it inside any large pot you have. Idlies are steamed to cook.

The most important thing when mixing up the contents of the box with the water is to NOT over stir as this can cause the idlies to be more dense/flat. But the trick is to stir enough so you don't have too many big clumps of doughy idly mix.

Serve Idlies with hot sambar (see Sathya's Sambar recipe) or just eat with melted butter, non-hydrogenated butter substitute (I like Earth Balance) or the 'sinful' but delightful ghee!

Idlies













Idli Maker

The wonderful benefits of Peppermint

For those who know me, you know I love peppermint tea! This fresh and invigorating herb is not only one of the most delightful to drink as a tea but it also has wonderful medicinal properties. The most prominent medicinal use is to help reduce nausea or upset stomach. Some have found drinking peppermint tea to reduce gas or ease irritable bowel syndrome. I found some interesting information at womens-health-symmetry.com. I also find peppermint helps increase my energy if I'm feeling low.

If you have a cold or sinus infection, peppermint oil is also a great remedy. You can boil a small amount of water in a pot and add a few drops of peppermint oil. Cover your head with a towel, putting it over the pot and take several deep breaths. You should not only feel the stimulating effects of the peppermint, but your congestion should also be relieved.